ROSEN TESTIFIES BEFORE HOUSE VETERANS’ AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, URGES SUPPORT FOR HER BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE THE VETERANS CHOICE PROGRAM

*Watch Congresswoman Rosen’s testimony here*

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, Congresswoman Jacky Rosen (NV-03) testified before the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs in a hearing on proposals regarding the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
 

In her testimony, Rosen underscored the dire need for better service and attention at VA facilities to ensure that the federal government fulfills its promise to veterans. Earlier this year, Rosen introduced the Veterans Deserve Better Act with Republican Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-03). This bipartisan legislation would improve access to quality health care for veterans who count on the Veterans Choice program. Several of the provisions from Rep. Rosen’s legislation are included in legislation the House will consider today.

Read the full text of Rosen’s testimony below as prepared for delivery:

Chairman Roe, Ranking Member Walz, members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to testify at today’s hearing.

In Nevada and across the nation, our veterans are experiencing difficulty in receiving the quality health care they deserve, including delays in reimbursement payments to non-VA providers, long wait-times for appointments, and even delays to schedule appointments with providers outside the VA network.

I’m here today because I believe we need effective, commonsense solutions to help improve our current system, so that our veterans are cared for.

This week, Congress is considering a veterans bill, the VA MISSION Act. This legislation includes key provisions from my bipartisan bill, the Veterans Deserve Better Act, H.R. 4783, which I introduced with Republican Congressman Walter Jones of North Carolina.

One of the provisions included in the underlying bill requires prompt reimbursement to non-VA health care providers serving our veterans, specifically, it would require the VA to pay for or deny payment to providers within 30 days of receiving an electronic claim, or within 45 days of receiving a paper claim.

Our veterans should not have to face debt collectors and bad credit because the government failed to pay for their medical care on time. Delaying reimbursement payments is an unnecessary financial burden that hurts our veterans, who are already navigating a very difficult and complicated system.  The idea that we would fail to pay for care for our veterans in a timely manner is shameful. That’s why I’m glad to see this provision included in the VA MISSION Act.

One issue we must also address is reducing wait times for our veterans who are trying to schedule doctor visits. Right now, too many of our veterans have to wait just to schedule an appointment to see a doctor. My Veterans Deserve Better Act would reduce wait times by ensuring appointments are scheduled within five days and with greater accountability, providing more information to help veterans utilize the Choice Program.

There’s no denying that our veterans deserve better treatment.

I hope to see Congress work on these issues as your committee continues to reform the Choice program, and I thank you for the work you are already doing for our veterans. I will continue to advocate for bipartisan solutions to improve our VA system and I hope to see the provisions of my legislation get signed into law.

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